It seemed a foregone conclusion that Jack Flaherty would start NLDS Game 1 and that the Atlanta Braves would have to step up immediately. Not happening now.
It was an interesting call on Sunday, that will impact the Cardinals’ upcoming playoff series with the Atlanta Braves. While the Cards – with a 1 game lead – could have gone with another starting pitcher, they rolled out Jack Flaherty… their best arm.
In fact, the decision was really doubled-down upon: the Cardinals built a 9-0 lead (that was also the final score) after just 4 innings. At that point, St. Louis manager Mike Shildt could have chosen to pull Flaherty early with the chance of using him in Game 1 after all.
His final (studly) line: 7 innings, 2 hits, no runs, 1 BB, 6 strikeouts.
Oh, and he only threw 69 pitches. I guess once the Cubs got down that far, they decided that this game needed to end as quickly as possible… and they went down in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
So it was still a light-ish workload (with no scoring threats coming from the Cubbies either). One of those hits was erased when trying to stretch another base; the other out as part of a double play.
So instead of Games 1 and 5, the Braves will likely face Flaherty in Games 2 and 5… should the series extend.
That does put some pressure on Atlanta.
The Schedule
Here’s the schedule, with times estimated (should be formally announced soon):
- THURS, OCT 2: Game 1 (in Atlanta). Probably 4PM EDT.
- FRIDAY, OCT 3: Game 2 (in Atlanta). Would not be surprised if this was the early game… around 1pm.
- SATURDAY – TRAVEL
- SUNDAY, OCT 5: Game 3 (in St. Louis). Probably the 7-8PM time slot.
- MONDAY, OCT 6: Game 4* (in St. Louis). Up to 4 games this day… guessing mid-afternoon.
- TUESDAY – TRAVEL
- WEDNESDAY, OCT 7: Game 5* (in Atlanta). No guess on time.
* – if necessary
So for Flaherty to pitch in a hypothetical Game 5, he would have to go on short rest. If things get that far, it might be an interesting sidebar to an otherwise nail-biting series.
At the same time, the Braves now need to win Game 1. While getting off to a good start is always vital in a short series, it’s magnified by the spectre of seeing Flaherty looming for Game 2.
If Atlanta happens to drop Game 1, then the next contest virtually becomes a fight for their playoff lives against a pitcher who has run out these numbers in his last fifteen starts:
"99 1/3 IP, 1.00 ERA, 124 SO, 23 BB, 6 HR, .431 opponent OPS"
That’s beyond Cy Young stuff. That’s practically unbeatable… and there’s the rub. Losing Game 1 would really put Atlanta behind the 8-ball as you don’t want to go into St. Louis down 2-0.
Sure – this team has shown outstanding resiliency through the entire year, and the Cardinals haven’t exactly been world-beaters themselves, but it’s still going to be important to ‘punch them in the mouth’ early and often.
Then… we’ll figure out how to deal with the hottest pitcher in baseball.